Harmony in Health

What is really happening with staff wellbeing in the NHS? In this powerful podcast, we hear directly from five senior NHS professionals with responsibility for wellbeing in their Trusts. They offer an honest, eye-opening look at the pressures faced by healthcare staff today.

From burnout and compassion fatigue to corridor care and a culture that often normalises stress and even abuse—this conversation lays bare the emotional toll of working in an overstretched system. But it’s not all bleak. Our guests also share inspiring stories of resilience, meaningful wellbeing initiatives, and the changes—both big and small—that are starting to make a difference.

Whether you work in healthcare or simply care about those who do, this episode is a must-listen.

Participants:

- Laurence Gamlen - Staff wellbeing lead at Ashford & St Peter's Hospitals Foundation Trust

- Diana Steadman - Staff pastoral and wellbeing practitioner at Kingston Hospital

- Richard Bentley - Co-lead chaplin at Royal Berkshire Hospital

- Emily Roberts - A&E nurse and wellbeing lead at St Peter's Hospital

- Dr Eleni Tsiompanou - Palliative care consultant at Woking & Sam Beare Hospice

- Julia Outlaw -  Facilitator, Harmony in Health

What and how is it helpful to eat in the winter time for our overall well being?  How does this depend on our 'type' and on what conditions or illnesses may be around?    In this podcast, recorded as a live event with an audience, Dr Eleni Tsiompanou shares her knowledge of Ayurveda and the teachings of Hippocrates as well as delicious recipes and practical advice for helping our systems thrive throughout the winter.

Foods have the ability to harm or heal us.  In this episode Julia Outlaw and Dr Eleni Tsiompanou talk to Natasha MacAller, ex professional ballet dancer and now renowned author and chef.   They discuss the health benefits of particular herbs and spices, share the process of developing recipes and connect about the joy of eating!  Includes recipe suggestions for improving mood and attention.

With spiralling mental health issues in young people and increasing eco-anxiety,  how can connecting to nature play a role?

In this episode we hear from three young people with a passion for nature and all that it can offer.  They discuss personal experiences in nature, their choice of career, and share their thoughts on sustainability; an insight into the role nature has in young people finding harmony in themselves and in the world.

Talking to Julia Outlaw from Harmony in Health are:

• Bobbit Benjamin-Wand, (age 26), Youth Programme Delivery Officer at the London Wildlife Trust
• Andrew Dixon, (age 26), Zookeeper and Young Advisor at the London Wildlife Trust
• Jazzie Peffly, (age 20), Physical Geography Student at King's College London

How does our environment affect our wellbeing?  In particular, how can 'precious spaces' be created in schools that offer children and adults space to be themselves?

 In this episode, Julia talks to Dr Emma Dyer, an educational adviser who works with many schools, psychologists, therapists and children, assisting in the creation of supportive environments.  They discuss what makes a helpful space, the need for safety for learning and the importance for children to be comfortable and to move.

 Given current architectural and political constraints, there are still many practical solutions and ideas possible.

Many people recognise that they feel better when spending time in nature.  Why is this and how can this connection with nature be nurtured?

In this episode, hear perspectives from three women who work in different ways connecting people to nature:  Leah McNally (London Wildlife Trust), Liz Ware (Silent Space) and Esther De Groot (The Really Green Gardener).

They discuss how nature can help wellbeing, touching on topics of diversity, access, creativity, sustainability and young people, as well as acknowledging the balancing balm that nature is for themselves and others.

Bartosz Nowakowski, theatre director, shares some rich lessons from his work with actors, young people and struggling communities. 

Techniques involving rhythm, connecting with the body, coordination and simple presence, he says, can provide a path to deal with the experiences of life - creating confidence and trust.  

Here he discusses with Julia Outlaw some of his insights from connecting with actors, Bosnian refugees, teenagers and prisoners - and what it takes to feel good with ourselves, and then with others.

We all feel better after a good night's sleep but sometimes events in the world, or in our own habits, can make this elusive.  In this episode, team members Julia Outlaw, Dr Eleni Tsiompanou, Dr Hanna Poikonen and Dimitra Makarona discuss different holistic approaches to better sleep including our natural rhythms, ayurvedic teachings around diet and natural herbs.  They share what helps them rest in the day and practical tips to improve sleep quality.

Harmonious cooking is about far more than calories or superfoods.   There are many health benefits available to us - physical, mental and emotional - from cooking and eating.

In this episode, members of the team discuss different aspects of cooking and harmony, including; comfort food, community, diversity, the gut microbiome, cooking as making music, and the magic of the act of cooking itself.  They share favourite foods and recipes, tips from ancient wisdom and personal stories of how cooking can heal.

At this time of the year, the end of harvest, nature is rich with changing colours, temperatures and fruits.  It calls us to turn inwards and prepare for the winter.   

In this episode, members of the Harmony in Health team offer a rich hour celebrating Autumn and its relation to inner and outer harmony.    They discuss autumn movements and smells, nutrition, foraging and herbs for this time of year, and some traditions from across the world still celebrated today.  They share poetry, offer seasonal journaling prompts and finish with a beautiful simple song for the harvest full moon.